Posted: January 22, 2023

Week of Jan. 23, 2023

Happy Sunday Skyhawks Parents & Guardians!

Happy Lunar New Year Everyone!  This weekend there were countless celebrations around the world welcoming the year of the Rabbit.  The rabbit is associated with peace, diplomacy and luck – all of which our world could really use right now!   Speaking of exciting celebrations this week is highlighted by a number of great events including a visit from LSS staff on Tuesday, our READY SET GLOW DANCE on Thursday, and Jersey Day on Friday!  And just like that… January is done!

Here’s the SCOOP!

THE WEEK AHEAD AT HD STAFFORD

PICTURES FROM LAST WEEK!

         

NEW INFORMATION TO SHARE:

Lunar New Year:

Happy Lunar New Year, Everyone! Lunar New Year begins this Sunday, January 22^nd. Lunar New Year is also known as the “Spring Festival” in China, “Seollal” in South Korea and “Tet” in Vietnam. It is a time of family gatherings and celebrations to welcome a new year. Lunar New Year celebrations usually last for multiple days, beginning at the first new moon of the year and culminating at the full moon after it. 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. The Rabbit zodiac is associated with peace, diplomacy and luck. Happy Lunar New Year!

UKRAINIAN FAMILY TEA:

On Wednesday February 1^st, HDSMS will be hosting a Tea for our Ukrainian Families and the families in our feeder schools. The families will have the opportunity to connect with other families and get access to resources. The tea will be from 3:30-5:30pm.

READY SET GLOW –  SKYHAWKS NEON DANCE PARTY!

The PAC will be hosting our first School Dance in over 3 years on Jan. 26^th in the small gym.  If you are interested in helping at the event please contact Sarah at hdsmsevents@gmail.com

Here are the details:

• Date: Thursday Jan. 26^th
• Time: 6:30pm – 9:00pm
• Admission: Non-perishable food donation / HDSMS Students only
• Food: Pizza & Concession items available for purchase
• Fun: Ready Set GLOW!!

 

Grade 8 to 9 Upcoming Transition Dates:

• Tuesday January 31st- Taste of LSS
  • All our Grade 8 students will be bussed to LSS and spend on the much of the day exploring LSS and the all the opportunities and programs it has to offer – lunch will be included!
• Tuesday February 7th – Grade 9 Course Planning @ HDSMS
  • Grade 8 Students will be completing their course selection forms here at HDSMS and bringing a copy home to share their selections with their parents in preparation for the Parent Meeting that evening at LSS.
• Tuesday February 7th – Grade 8 Parent/Guardian night @ LSS: Information at 6pm and Tours at 7-8pm
  • Grade 8 parents and students are invited to LSS for the Grade 9 Information Night beginning at 6:00pm with school tours following the meeting.

Cold Temperatures and Winter Weather:

This week is calling for freezing temperatures and maybe even some snow. Just a reminder to reduce the risk of slip and falls during the icy weather: when possible, please tell your children to follow the designated walking paths and avoid shortcuts and unsalted areas. Also, walk slowly and deliberately in icy areas and expect the pavement and sidewalks to be slippery.

Also a reminder as the weather gets increasingly cold and wet,  please send your children to school with appropriate clothing and footwear as many students ( especially in the snow) do love to go outside!

 

Community Room Homework Club on Wednesdays! Let your Kiddos know!

• Homework club started on September 28 and will run from 3-4 on Wednesdays in the Community Room. Students will receive academic support and build positive relationships. The first half of homework club we will work on homework and from 3:30 to 4:00 we’ll change gears and do fun activities together! We’re looking forward to seeing you there! A huge thank you to Langley Church (Youth unlimited) for their support. See Mrs. Sandher if you would like to join any after-school activities.
• The Breakfast Program has started! Students can enjoy light breakfast items between 8:00-8:30. Students will enter through the exterior doors of the Community Room, and when the bell rings they will line up with their classes. The breakfast program is for all kiddos!
• LUNCH PROGRAM: The lunch program is for families who need extra support. Please contact Mrs. Sandher, our Community Coordinator, at Ksandher@sd35.bc.ca, if your child needs clothing, food, and/or other support.

FORMS, FEES, & LOCKERS

Lockers have now been distributed to all classes and students, however we are hoping to finish collecting school fees and online permission forms as soon as possible.  If you can please do the following:

• Pay your school fees using the SchoolCashOnline link here.
• Complete the Online permission forms that also on your SchoolCashOnline account.

STAFFORD ATHLETICS & AFTER SCHOOL EVENTS

🏐🏀⚽🎾🏸🎯🏐🏀⚽🎾🏸🎯

REMINDERS

SKYHAWKS ONLINE STORE IS LIVE!

We are very excited to roll out the new online Skyhawks Apparel Store to all staff, students and our Stafford community!

STAYING CONNECTED:

• HDSMS will continue to work towards being a completely paperless school when it comes to communication with parents. In order to stay informed, please be sure you use at least one of the following on-line methods:
  • Email: send your information to tdick@sd35.bc.ca or alyon@sd35.bc.ca to ensure you are on our parent email list.
  • Attendance: If your child is going to be away from school – you can email hdsattendance@sd35.bc.ca to report the absence.
  • Twitter: Follow our feed at twitter.com/HDSMSskyhawks
  • Instagram: Follow us at instagram.com/HDSMSskyhawks
  • Website: Stay up-to-date at sd35.bc.ca

PAC NEWS:

Upcoming Popcorn Dates:

• Wed Jan 25th – Grade 7 Popcorn
• Wed Feb 1st – Grade 6 Popcorn

Upcoming Hawk’s Nest Dates:

• Wed Feb 15th – Grade 7 & 8 Hawksnest
• Wed March 8th – Grade 6 Hawksnest

Upcoming Hot Lunch Dates:

Munchalunch ordering for hot lunches – deadline is usually one week before.

• Tuesday Feb 21st – StrEATS – order cut off Monday Feb 6th
• Friday March 10th – Little Caesar’s Pizza – order cut off Thurs Mar 2nd

(If you have a Grade 6 child and were previously registered at a different school or need an account at two different schools and you’re having trouble setting up your account, please email support@munchalunch.com for help)

Ukranian Family Tea – Feb. 1st, 2023

The School is hosting a tea for Ukranian Families, Wednesday, Feb 1st to help those families build connections. We are still looking for help between 3:30 and 6pm for one or two hours to help watch the coffee tables and clean up afterwards. If available please contact Gina at hdsmspresident@gmail.com

Upcoming PAC meetings:

 6:30pm in the HD Stafford Library Commons room.

• Wednesday, February 8th

If you have any questions or if you are interested to volunteer at our PAC initiatives, please contact hdsmspac@gmail.com

Keep updated with PAC fundraisers and info through Facebook and Instagram at:

HDSMS Parent Group

HDStafford Middle School PAC

hdsms_pac

PAC GENERAL INFORMATION:

Our PAC works to help create effective partnerships between the school and parent community. Building the triangle of support between parent, school, and child will create powerful learning opportunities and ensure our children’s success.

Each and every parent or guardian is a member of our PAC. We encourage you to join us for the monthly meetings to participate in the building of PAC community and create learning opportunities for your child.

The 2022/23 HDSMS PAC EXECUTIVE:

Please direct any general questions to hdsmspac@gmail.com

FROM THE LIBRARY LEARNING COMMONS:

Can’t wait to share all the awesome literacy events coming this year.

COMMUNITY SUPPORTS FOR PARENTS:

FROM THE DISTRICT: